BMC to appoint pvt security to catch erring citizens

The BMC has now decided to appoint private security agencies to catch erring citizens who litter the streets, reports Naresh Kamath.

Citizens addicted to littering had better watch out. The next time they litter a private security guard could catch you, force you to clean the place and also fine you for the deed.

As a part of its cleanliness drive, the BMC has now decided to appoint private security agencies to catch erring citizens who litter the streets.

The decision has been prompted by a shortage of nuisance detectors, which number just 94 and are grossly inadequate. This factor has been responsible for the failure of cleanliness drives conducted over the years and the BMC is in no mood to repeat its mistake.

Talking to HT, R R Markandaye, Chief Engineer, BMC solid waste management said the security agencies would be able to enforce the cleanliness in a strict manner. “We feel that security agencies given their background would do a good job,” said Markandaye. “We will shortly float tenders and contracts would be given to only the registered security agencies,” said Markandaye.

From March, the BMC has started a full pledged campaign for cleanliness across the city. The campaign is currently in full force in both the A ward (comprising areas like Colaba, Churchgate and Crawford market) and G-North (Dadar, Mahim and Matunga) area where people are forced to undertake community service like sweeping the streets in case they litter and also fining them. The BMC has desisted from undertaken a full pledged drive due to the shortage of staff.

The BMC is currently mulling over the fine details of the scheme for these security agencies like the mode of payment, the uniform and the manner in which the whole scheme would be implemented. It has decided to pay the agencies on commission basis—that is 50 percent of the fine amount would be pocketed by the agency and the rest would go to the civic kitty.

Private security agencies have welcomed the scheme and expressed confidence they would be able to contribute significantly for creating a cleaner city. “The guards would serve a duo purpose of preventing littering and also keeping a hawk eye over the anti-social elements,” said G S Singh, President, Security Association of India. “We would also incorporate cleanliness laws in our training programme which we impart to our guards,” said Singh.